Postnatal lineage mapping of follicular melanocytes with the Tyr:CreERT2 transgene. (20th December 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harris, Melissa L.; Pavan, William J.
• Is Part Of: Pigment cell & melanoma research. Volume 26:Number 2(2013:Mar.)
• Page Start: 269
• Page End: 274
• Publication Date: 2012-12-20
• Subjects: Melanoma -- Periodicals; Chromatophores -- Periodicals; Animal pigments -- Periodicals; 616.99477
• DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12048
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-1471

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="pcmr12048-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <p>One of the main advantages of using inducible and conditional transgenes to study pigment cell biology is that they allow for genetic manipulation within melanocytes after roles in general neural crest or melanoblast development have been fulfilled. Specifically, we focus here on the ability of the <italic>Tyr::Cre</italic><italic>ER</italic><sup><italic>T</italic></sup><sup><italic>2</italic></sup> transgenic line to alter genes within follicular melanocytes postnatally. Using the <italic>Gt(ROSA)26Sor</italic><sup><italic>tm1sor</italic></sup> reporter allele, we present in detail the expression and activity of <italic>Tyr::Cre</italic><italic>ER</italic><sup><italic>T</italic></sup><sup><italic>2</italic></sup> when induced during hair morphogenesis and adult hair cycling. We find that despite similarities in expression pattern to endogenous TYR, <italic> Tyr::Cre</italic><italic>ER</italic><sup><italic>T</italic></sup><sup><italic>2</italic></sup> is effective at targeting both undifferentiated and differentiated melanocytes within the hair follicle. We also find that <italic>Tyr::Cre</italic><italic>ER</italic><sup><italic>T</italic></sup><sup><italic>2</italic></sup> provides the highest levels of recombination when induced during the early phases of hair growth. In conclusion, the descriptions provided here will guide future analyses of gene function within the melanocyte system of the hair follicle when using this <italic>Tyr::Cre</italic><italic>ER</italic><sup><italic>T</italic></sup><sup><italic>2</italic></sup> transgene.</p> </abstract>